Latest news with #commercialdrivers
Reuters
18-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Mexican truck drivers study English to comply with new US language rules
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 18 (Reuters) - Mexican truck drivers in the border city of Ciudad Juarez have begun studying English in efforts to comply with an executive order, opens new tab by President Donald Trump requiring commercial drivers in the U.S. to meet English-proficiency standards. Some 50 drivers who haul goods back and forth between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, just across the border in Texas, are attending four to eight hours of English classes a week organized by their employer, Fletes Sotelo, in order to meet the U.S. standards. The company's owner, Manuel Sotelo, said the classes started some six weeks ago, and that the goal is for all the company's drivers to know basic English. Sotelo is also the president of the transport association of Ciudad Juarez. Jose Murguia, one of the drivers, said he thought the classes were a great opportunity, especially given the recent executive order. "It's important to know the language, at least in the ways that are necessary for our work, which is to transport goods into El Paso," he said. While the English-proficiency standard for truckers was already longstanding U.S. law, Trump's executive order in April reversed 2016 guidance that inspectors not place commercial drivers out of service if their only violation was lack of English. The order came on the heels of Trump's March executive order mandating English as the official language of the United States. That executive order has been criticized as discriminatory since millions of Americans speak languages other than, or in addition to, English.
Free Malaysia Today
10-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
High on the highway: hidden cause in heavy crashes?
As road fatalities involving heavy vehicles continue to rise in Malaysia, public concern is mounting, as recent media reports have shown. Just last month, a tragic lorry accident near Teluk Intan claimed the lives of nine FRU personnel. On Monday, 15 died in a devastating bus crash en route to Gerik on the East West Highway. Both accidents are under investigation. Authorities investigating similar accidents in the past have identified a chilling common factor: drug use among commercial drivers. Although drunk driving tends to dominate the headlines, in Malaysia, drug abuse—particularly involving stimulants like methamphetamine—is a growing and dangerous trend among lorry and bus drivers. This quiet crisis is putting thousands of lives at risk daily on Malaysian roads and highways. Real crisis Driven by long hours, tight delivery schedules, and poor working conditions, many heavy goods vehicle and bus drivers resort to illicit drugs to stay alert. But the consequences are deadly—impaired reflexes, poor judgement and increased accident risk. The public is demanding action, and safety experts are urging authorities, especially the road transport department (JPJ), the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), the traffic division of PDRM and the transport ministry to implement urgent reforms. Thus, I would like to suggest immediate actions be taken, to stop the rampant accident trend nationwide. These are listed below. Immediate measures Random drug testing at key locations Surprise drug screenings at rest areas, toll plazas, and major bus terminals and ports—especially during the late-night hours—are critical to catching drivers under the influence before tragedy strikes. Instant suspension of offenders Drivers who fail drug tests should face immediate suspension of their commercial licences pending full investigation. No exceptions, no delays. National zero-tolerance campaign A high-impact media campaign should be launched immediately, using real stories, accident footage, mock-ups and testimonies to warn drivers and employers of the deadly risks and legal consequences. The transport ministry, being the ministry responsible for transport policy, should take the lead in such campaign—which should run continuously for at least one year—and make a strong stand on this issue. Tighter JPJ, traffic police & AADK coordination Collaboration between JPJ, traffic police and narcotics enforcement must be ramped up to target known high-risk areas, highway routes and operators. Short-term structural reforms Quarterly drug testing must be introduced for drivers of all heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and public service vehicles (PSV). All commercial driving licence holders must undergo mandatory drug screening every six months, with results centrally logged by JPJ to flag repeat offenders. Those who test positive must not be allowed back on the roads. Employer accountability Transport companies must implement in-house testing, provide mental health support, and face heavy penalties if their drivers are caught using drugs. Driver vetting Psychological screening and background checks must be introduced as part of the HGV and PSV licensing process to ensure only fit drivers are cleared for service. In-vehicle driver monitoring Install driver alertness systems and GPS tracking in all commercial vehicles to detect fatigue, erratic driving and long journeys undertaken without breaks. Conclusion We have no time left for further delays or inaction. While the formation of committees to investigate the accident causes is good, such an approach is unlikely by itself to reduce the number of road mishaps. Malaysia's highways are becoming increasingly dangerous, not just due to poor road conditions or speeding—but due to drivers getting high on illegal substances. These drivers operate the largest and most dangerous vehicles on our roads and highways. With every day of inaction more lives are being lost and families shattered. Confidence in road safety is fast eroding. The authorities must act fast through enforcement, accountability and reform. There is no room for compromise. The author can be reached at: [email protected] The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Escambia County crash: 2 injured, dump truck overturns
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — Two people received minor injuries Thursday morning in an Escambia County, Florida, crash involving a dump truck. Mobile police: the pine straw scam is back According to a news release from the , the crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. Thursday on Nine Mile Road near Interstate 10. FHP's crash report said a dump truck loaded with dirt was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road, and a tractor-trailer was making a left turn from the eastbound I-10 ramp onto eastbound Nine Mile Road. Troopers said the dump truck driver ran a red light and hit the front left portion of the tractor-trailer, which caused the dump truck to overturn and spill its dirt load onto the intersection. Both vehicles were disabled and blocked the westbound lanes. According to FHP, the dump truck driver was cited for running a red light, driving with a suspended license, and operating a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license. Man fleeing Escambia County deputies hit by vehicle, sheriff's office says Both the dump truck driver and the tractor-trailer driver received minor injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Northern Ont. MPP calls for increased winter training for truckers
A northern Ontario MPP was at Queen's Park on Tuesday calling for increased winter training for commercial truck drivers. A Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) from northern Ontario presented a bill at Queen's Park calling for increased winter driving training for truckers. Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin presented a private members' bill on Tuesday to increase safety on northern Ontario highways. The bill would see an additional 20 hours of simulated training geared toward winter driving for A and D licence commercial truck drivers. 'What we're seeing right now is that we have a lot of inexperienced drivers who have never driven during harsh winter road conditions,' he said. During the media conference, Bourgouin was accompanied by Travis McDougall, co-founder of advocacy group Truckers for Safer Highways. McDougall said he's also seeing a lot of inexperienced truck drivers on the road. 'Too many drivers are entering the industry without the essential skills to navigate our harsh winter conditions,' he said. 'They lack the knowledge of how a truck behaves on icy roads, how to adjust their driving techniques and the importance of recognizing their limits. It's putting countless lives at risk.' McDougall said many are leaving the industry due to safety concerns and unsustainable conditions. 'As a truck driver, I see reckless driving, poor decision making and a lack of respect for the road,' he said. 'We, as truck drivers used to be called 'brothers of the highway.' Now, it would be more realistic to call us 'survivors of the highway.'' Danny Whalen, president of the Federation of Northern Municipalities (FONOM), used to serve as co-chair of the Northern Ontario Transportation Task Force. He said increased training was something many advocated for. 'Many of the drivers that are coming through northern Ontario are hitting their first snowstorm and they've never seen anything like that before,' Whalen said. 'So, this new private member's bill, we fully support the draft, sent in a letter of support for it and we think it's a great, great step forward.' Adam Delamorandiere, head of driver training for Northern Academy of Transport Training, said simulated training has its downfalls because it can't prepare for all weather conditions and circumstances. 'It's very, very difficult for me to say that I wholeheartedly agree with an additional 20 hours of simulated winter driving,' Delamorandiere said. 'But, again, I do also favour the side of additional training and anything over and above is always going to help.' He added he would like to see more benefits from the additional training built into a program offered by driving schools strictly in the winter, where students could receive in-truck training with a coach.
